How far is Forsyth, IL from Rockford, IL?

The driving distance from Forsyth, IL to Rockford, IL is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
175.44 mi
02h 48m
Flight
161.75 mi
260.31 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forsyth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.75 mi
Kilometers
260.31 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.44 mi
Kilometers
282.35 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockford
Wed, Apr 22, 10:18 PM CDT
Return by in Forsyth
Thu, Apr 23, 1:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forsyth
2026-04-22T19:30
Arrive Rockford
Wed, Apr 22, 10:18 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forsyth
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lostant
IL

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

From Forsyth
87.6 mi
01h 24m
To Rockford
87.8 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forsyth and Rockford.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forsyth and Rockford.

  1. 1

    Start on East Ruehl Street

    1230 ft · 56 sec · East Ruehl Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    36.2 mi · 45 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

    8.9 mi · 10 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

    119.9 mi · 2 hr 9 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward US 20 West: Freeport, Rockford

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 2: Rockford, Dixon

    1810 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    86 m · 7 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Main Street

    3.7 mi · 6 min · South Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West State Street

    45 m · 4 sec · West State Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forsyth and Rockford.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
120 mi · 68%
I 74 West
8.9 mi · 5%
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.67 mi · 3%
South Main Street
3.66 mi · 2%
US 20 West
1.08 mi · 1%
IL 2
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

I 39 North

Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

120 mi · 02h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.8 mi
161.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lostant
01h 24m from Forsyth
Leave By
12:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny leaving Forsyth and Sunny near Rockford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Forsyth to Rockford?

The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km) and usually takes 02h 48m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lostant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Forsyth and 87.8 miles from Rockford.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.34 one way or $46.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny around Forsyth and Sunny near Rockford.

Stop Ideas Near Lostant

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lostant, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lostant.

RAIL

Princeton

43 mi away
107 Bicentennial Dr.
RAIL

Mendota station

46 mi away
783 Main Street
RAIL

Pontiac station

46 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

53 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forsyth and Rockford. Straight-line distance: 161.75 mi (260.31 km).

Forsyth

#1 Forsyth

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population3,465
Coordinates39.9325400, -88.9511900
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Rockford

#2 Rockford

The second most populous city in Illinois.

Population144,835
Coordinates42.2711300, -89.0940000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Start: East Ruehl Street (-88.95119, 39.932535)
End: West State Street (-89.094046, 42.271066)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 282 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.19 gal
23.44 L · about $23.34
Round trip
$46.68
12.38 gal · 46.88 L
Estimated CO2
55 kg one way
Round trip: 110 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.34 $46.68
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.33 $52.65
Premium $4.65 $28.81 $57.62
Diesel $5.30 $32.83 $65.66

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Forsyth and Rockford. The current time is 19:30:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.